Kootenay Ice player in critical condition

[PetRocksAreMotionless]

http://www.kootenayi...te-on-tim-bozon

Calgary, AB – The Western Hockey League and the Kootenay Ice hockey club today provided an update on Kootenay Ice player and Montreal Canadiens prospect Tim Bozon.

Tim Bozon was admitted to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon on Saturday March 1 and has been diagnosed with Neisseria Meningitis. Tim’s parents, Phillippe and Helene Bozon, have been with him at the hospital in Saskatoon since arriving on Sunday from their home in Cureglia, Switzerland. The family has indicated to the WHL that Tim’s condition is critical.

Public health officials are in the process of reviewing the case to ensure all the necessary precautions are taken and anyone who had direct contact with the player receives appropriate treatment.

The WHL requests the privacy of the family be respected during this most difficult time

http://gdrinnan.blogspot.ca/2014/03/bozon-situation-very-very-serious.html

Bozon situation "very, very serious"

F Tim Bozon of the Kootenay Ice is in a Saskatoon hospital where he is being treated for meningitis.

Jeff Chynoweth, the owner, president and general manager of the Ice, has refused comment, but a source familiar with what has happened told me this morning that the situation is “very, very serious.”

Bozon, who will turn 20 on March 24, is from Lugano, Switzerland, but has played internationally for France, just like his father and grandfather.

Bozon began his WHL career with the Kamloops in Blazers in 2011-12 and was dealt to the Ice earlier this season. He scored his 36th goal of the season on Friday as the Ice beat the Blades 4-2 in Saskatoon. Bozon was scratched from a Saturday game against the Raiders in Prince Albert.

In 50 games with the Ice this season, Bozon has 62 points, including 30 goals. In 203 regular-season WHL games, he has 231 points, including 105 goals.

Bozon has signed a three-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, who selected him in the third round of the NHL’s 2012 draft.

According to mayoclinic.org, “Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (meninges) surrounding your brain and spinal cord.

“The swelling associated with meningitis often triggers the ‘hallmark’ signs and symptoms of this condition, including headache, fever and a stiff neck.

“Most cases of meningitis in the U.S. are caused by a viral infection, but bacterial and fungal infections also can lead to meningitis. Depending on the cause of the infection, meningitis can get better on its own in a couple of weeks — or it can be a life-threatening emergency requiring urgent antibiotic treatment.”

[Mustapha]

Wishing the best for Tim and his family right now.... my father nearly passed away from meningitis, it is an extremely serious condition.

[AllHailSmyl]

That's terrible. Hope he gets better and gets the love and support he needs from family and friends during this tough time. You never want to see these things happen, and it's more painful when it is someone who has their entire life ahead of them still.

[susraiders]

Wow. Hope he gets well soon.

[î мцšт вяздк чфµ]

get well soon.

[thema]

Had a niece die from this; they thought she had the flu and when they found out what it really was it was too late. I was a fan of his dad back when he played for St. Louis. Hang in there Tim; our prayers are with you.

[Venom52]

I was at his game in Saskatoon. Good player, very good offensive skills. Scored a goal and then didn't see very much of him and I was wondering why. Guess he must have not felt very well.

More to life than hockey however, and I wish him a full recovery.

[TimberWolf]

I almost died from this when I was a child. Have body scars for life as a result, it's not pretty to go through.

Best wishes and hope he can fight through and recover.

[THERETOOL]

poor kid .. I imagine his mom and dad are hurting so badly right now .. say a prayer for him folks .. and if your not religous just send some good vibes out to the universe .. be strong bud ..

[Dazzle]

http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/bacterial.html

Bacterial meningitis is usually severe. While most people with meningitis recover, it can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities.

There are several pathogens (types of germs) that can cause bacterial meningitis. Some of the leading causes of bacterial meningitis in the United States include Haemophilus influenzae (most often caused by type b, Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae, group B Streptococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Neisseria meningitidis.

In the United States, about 4,100 cases of bacterial meningitis, including 500 deaths, occurred each year between 2003–2007.*

Causes

Common causes of bacterial meningitis vary by age group: Age Group Causes Newborns Group B Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes Infants and Children Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae type b Adolescents and Young Adults Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae Older Adults Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, Listeria monocytogenes

Risk Factors

Factors that can increase your risk of bacterial meningitis include:

• Age
  
  • Infants are at higher risk for bacterial meningitis than people in other age groups. However, people of any age are at risk. See the table above for which pathogens more commonly affect which age groups.
    

  [*]Community setting

  • Infectious diseases tend to spread more quickly where larger groups of people gather together. College students living in dormitories and military personnel are at increased risk for meningococcal meningitis.
    

  [*]Certain medical conditions

  • There are certain diseases, medications, and surgical procedures that may weaken the immune system or increase risk of meningitis in other ways.
    

  [*]Working with meningitis-causing pathogens

  • Microbiologists who are routinely exposed to meningitis-causing pathogens are at increased risk.
    

  [*]Travel

  • Travelers to the meningitis belt in sub-Saharan Africa may be at risk for meningococcal meningitis, particularly during the dry season. Also at risk for meningococcal meningitis are travelers to Mecca during the annual Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.
    

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Transmission

The germs that cause bacterial meningitis can be contagious. Some bacteria can spread through the exchange of respiratory and throat secretions (e.g., kissing). Fortunately, most of the bacteria that cause meningitis are not as contagious as diseases like the common cold or the flu. Also, the bacteria are not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing the air where a person with meningitis has been. Other meningitis-causing bacteria are not spread person-to-person, but can cause disease because the person has certain risk factors (such as a weak immune system or head trauma). Unlike other bacterial causes of meningitis, you can get Listeria monocytogenes by eating contaminated food.

Sometimes the bacteria that cause meningitis spread to other people. This usually happens when there is close or long contact with a sick person in the same household or daycare center, or if they had direct contact with a patient's oral secretions (such as a boyfriend or girlfriend). People who qualify as close contacts of a person with meningococcal or Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) meningitis are at higher risk of getting disease and may need antibiotics (see Prevention). Close contacts of a person with meningitis caused by other bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, do not need antibiotics. Tell your doctor if you think you have been exposed to someone with meningitis.

Healthy people can carry the bacteria in their nose or throat without getting sick. Rarely, these bacteria can invade the body and cause disease. Most people who ‘carry’ the bacteria never become sick.

Signs & Symptoms

Pregnancy

Pregnant women are at increased risk of developing

listeriosis (caused by the bacterium

Listeria monocytogenes)

. Pregnant women typically experience only a mild, flu-like illness with

Listeria

infection. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn, including meningitis.

Pregnant women who test positive for

group B

Streptococcus

(group B strep) can pass the bacteria to their baby, most often during labor and birth. A newborn infected with group B strep bacteria can develop meningitis or other life-threatening infections soon after birth.

You can reduce your risk of meningitis caused by

Listeria monocytogenes

by

learning what foods to avoid and how to safely prepare and refrigerate food

. If you are pregnant, you should get screened for group B strep at 35-37 weeks. Women who test positive for group B strep will be given antibiotics during labor to

prevent infection in a newborn

.

Talk to your doctor to learn more about how to prevent these infections.

Meningitis infection may show up in a person by a sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck. It will often have other symptoms, such as

• Nausea
  
• Vomiting
  
• Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
  
• Altered mental status (confusion)
  

The symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear quickly or over several days. Typically they develop within 3-7 days after exposure.

Babies younger than one month old are at a higher risk for severe infections, like meningitis, than older children. In newborns and infants, the classic symptoms of fever, headache, and neck stiffness may be absent or difficult to notice. The infant may appear to be slow or inactive (lack of alertness), irritable, vomiting or feeding poorly. In young infants, doctors may look for a bulging fontanelle (soft spot on infant’s head) or abnormal reflexes, which can also be signs of meningitis. If you think your infant has any of these symptoms, call the doctor or clinic right away.

Later symptoms of bacterial meningitis can be very severe (e.g., seizures, coma). For this reason, anyone who thinks they may have meningitis should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Diagnosis

If meningitis is suspected, samples of blood or cerebrospinal fluid (near the spinal cord) are collected and sent to the laboratory for testing. It is important to know the specific cause of meningitis because that helps doctors understand how to treat the disease, and possibly how bad it will get. In the case of bacterial meningitis, antibiotics can help prevent severe illness and reduce the spread of infection from person to person.

If bacteria are present, they can often be grown (cultured). Growing the bacteria in the laboratory is important for confirming the presence of bacteria, identifying the specific type of bacteria that is causing the infection, and deciding which antibiotic will work best. Other tests can sometimes find and identify the bacteria if the cultures do not.

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Treatment

Bacterial meningitis can be treated effectively with antibiotics. It is important that treatment be started as soon as possible. Appropriate antibiotic treatment of the most common types of bacterial meningitis should reduce the risk of dying from meningitis to below 15%, although the risk remains higher among young infants and the elderly.

<a name="prevention">

Prevention

The most effective way to protect you and your child against certain types of bacterial meningitis is to complete the recommended vaccine schedule. There are vaccines for three types of bacteria that can cause meningitis: Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

Antibiotics may be recommended for close contacts of people with meningococcal meningitis. Antibiotics may also be recommended for the entire family if a family member develops severe Hib infection and there’s a high risk person in the house. This is to decrease the risk of spreading disease to a high risk person, since they are at increased risk for severe disease. Your doctor or local health department will tell you if there’s a high risk person in your house and antibiotics are needed.

Maintaining healthy habits, like not smoking and avoiding cigarette smoke, getting plenty of rest, and not coming into close contact with people who are sick, can also help. This is especially important for young infants, the elderly, or for those with a weakened immune system, since they are at increased risk for severe disease.

[Crom!]

Very scary. Two of my younger siblings nearly died from meningitis a few years ago. We were so lucky that the doctor's early hunch was correct.

[Standing_Tall#37]

A guy I went to school with, died in grade 10 due to this.

[Alex the Great]

Glad to see the League has set up a Trust Fund for him.

Hope he recovers

[canuktravella]

Any update?

[MoneypuckOverlord]

Any update?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/montreal-canadiens-prospect-tim-bozon-s-condition-improving-1.2571609

this was 5 days ago.

[PetRocksAreMotionless]

WHL star and Montreal Canadiens prospect Tim Bozon is now awake and moving around in his bed at Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital.

The 19-year-old hockey star had been in a coma after being diagnosed with Neisseria meningitis earlier this month. He had been slipping in and out of a coma for several days.

Bozon was moved out of the intensive care unit over the weekend and his condition is now “stable,” according to Saskatoon Health Region.

The SHR released an an update at the request of his parents Philippe (a former NHL player) and Helene.

His parents say Tim is awake, moving around in his bed, trying to feed himself and trying to speak.

Bozon, a third-round pick for the Habs in 2012, was hospitalized March 1, one night after he scored a goal for the Kootenay Ice in a 4-2 win over the Saskatoon Blades at Credit Union Centre.

Bozon’s parents arrived from their home in France the day after he was admitted.

The health region said Bozon’s parents are grateful for all the support they have received since arriving in Saskatoon. The release said the family had received anonymous gifts from restaurant vouchers, fruit baskets to a box containing blankets and other bedding.

There has also been an outpouring of support from the hockey community and the family has set up a trust in Tim Bozon’s name.

http://www.thestarphoenix.com/sports/Bozon+wakes+from+coma/9635896/story.html

[avelanch]

crazy scary, glad he's improving.

[Where's Wellwood]

Tim is awake, moving around in his bed, trying to feed himself and trying to speak.

Definite improvement but there's a long road of recovery ahead.

[Rick Grimes]

http://whl.ca/article/tim-bozon-leaves-saskatoon-hospital

SASKATOON, SK – Kootenay Ice player Tim Bozon is making remarkable strides as he recovers from meningitis, which sent him to hospital four weeks ago tomorrow. Bozon, who was in a medically induced coma for most of those four weeks, walked into a news conference today to thank everyone.

“From what I have learned since coming out of the coma, the people here at the Royal University Hospital went to amazing lengths to save my life. To them, first and foremost, my heartfelt thanks. But I must also extend gratitude to everyone who sent me their thoughts and prayers, especially my parents, who rushed here from France to be by my side,” commented Tim.

Tim’s father, Philippe, also expressed his thanks to the medical staff and all the people who signed cards, emailed wishes and donated money. “This has been unbelievable. It’s terrible to have to see your son go through this but the outpouring of support and quality of care at the hospital has been amazing.“

Tim's neurologist, Dr. Gary Hunter, acknowledged Tim has recuperated incredibly well but cautioned there may be months of rehabilitation still ahead. “We are optimistic he will make a full recovery but it will take some time before that possibility could be realized.”

Tim is working on regaining strength and improving coordination. He will have more rehabilitation after he has been discharged from hospital and the medical costs are already far exceeding the insurance coverage. People are encouraged to make contributions to the Tim Bozon Trust Fund at any Bank of Montreal in Western Canada or through the Western Hockey League Office in Calgary.

Tim is being discharged from Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon today and is planning to travel to Cranbrook, B.C., to be with his Kootenay teammates at their next playoff game against the Calgary Hitmen Saturday night. At the game, Tim Bozon is scheduled to return to the ice to drop the puck in a ceremonial face-off.

[Tearloch7]

Wonderful news .. thank you very much for sharing this with us all ..